District Governor Office

My club, the Rotary Club of Hucknall, have had three members serve as District Governor (or District Chairman) and I am led to believe that we hold the record for the most District Governors provided by one club.

Henry Morley, District 7 Chairman 1939-44

Henry Morley's Past District Chairman's medal

I am also led to believe  that our second President and founding member, Henry Morley also hold the record for the longest serving District Governor holding office from 1939 to 1944. 

Hucknall Rotary Club then also provided District 1220 with two District Governors within three years:  Brian Darlison (2001-2002) and Neil J.F.Sharman (2003-04). To have one member of your club hold office as District Governor is a great honour and priviledge.

A district governor, who is an officer of Rotary International and represents the RI board of directors in the field, leads his/her respective Rotary district. Each governor is nominated by the clubs of his/her district, and elected by all the clubs meeting in the annual RI Convention held in a different country each year. The district governor appoints assistant governors. The Rotary district governor performs a very significant function in the world of Rotary. He or she is the single officer of Rotary International in the geographic area called a Rotary district, which usually includes about 45-60 Rotary clubs. The district governors, who have been extensively trained at the worldwide International Assembly, provide the "quality control" for the more than 29,000 Rotary clubs of the world. They are responsible for maintaining high performance within the clubs of their district.

Brian Darlison, District Governor 2001-2002, District 1220

The district governor, who must make an official visit to each club in the district, is never regarded as an "inspector general" Rather, he or she visits as a helpful and friendly adviser to the club officers, as a useful counsellor to further the Object of Rotary among the clubs of the district, and as a catalyst to help strengthen the programs of Rotary.

The district governor is a very experienced Rotarian who generously devotes a year to the volunteer task of leadership. The governor has a wealth of knowledge about current Rotary programs, purposes, policies and goals, and is a person of recognized high standing in his or her profession, community and Rotary club. The governor must supervise the organization of new clubs and strengthen existing ones. He or she performs a host of specific duties to assure that the quality of Rotary does not falter in the district and is responsible to promote and implement all programs and activities of the Rotary International president and the RI Board of Directors. The governor plans and directs a district conference and other special events.

Each district governor performs a very important role in the worldwide operations of Rotary. The district governor is truly a prime example of Service Above Self performing a labour of love and networking among the Rotarians of the district to assist in the management of Rotary activity and multi-club projects in the district.